Every so often, I receive a story that takes my breath away—not because of its tragedy, but because of its tenacity. Recently, a former patient reached out to share his journey with me, and I knew I had to pass it along to you. Dr. Rick Cantrell is a husband, father, military veteran, and doctor. He’s also living with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), has survived cardiac arrest, and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. That’s a trio of diagnoses that would shake even the most steadfast spirit. But Rick? He’s found a kind of peace many of us spend our lives searching for. He told me, “People say ‘you only live once,’ but that’s wrong. You only die once. You live every day.” That sentence stopped me in my tracks. Rick’s story isn’t just about enduring suffering—it’s about discovering what truly matters when everything else falls away. He’s learned to cherish family, walk in faith, and live with intention even as memory fades. He’s also honest about regret. Like so many of us, he wishes he’d spent less time trying to be understood and more time trying to understand. As I read his reflections, I was reminded why I wrote Anticipating Heaven (click here for your copy and to leave a review). Our time on earth is short. But how we live it—and how we prepare for what comes next—can shape not just our legacy, but the peace we experience even in suffering. Rick’s honesty about his journey—his anger at God, his fear of being a burden, his slow-growing hope for a cure—echoes many conversations I’ve had with patients and readers. And yet through it all, he remains grounded in this truth: “Without purpose, you can’t find real happiness. Discovering and living out your purpose is why God put you here.” If you’re walking through a hard season—or supporting someone who is—may Rick’s story encourage you as it did me. Let’s keep showing up for one another, especially when life hurts. And let’s keep pointing each other toward the greater story that’s being written—one that ends not in despair, but in the joy of Heaven. (Learn more about how to show up for each other at www.drpamela.com – click this link!) With all my heart & here for you,Dr. Pamela P.S. If Rick’s story resonated with you, I encourage you to read Anticipating Heaven. It offers compassionate insight, honest reflections, and the promise that death is not the end of our story. Order your copy here.
